By the time I reached the Philippines I had been bouncing around the world for approximately ten months. My travels included 23 different countries and to travel to these countries I had been on (approximately) 19 planes, 50 buses, 17 ferries, 12 trains and 5 shuttles!! So more or less I was on the move every 2.9 days with the longest period of time spent anywhere accumulating to only two weeks. Needless to say I was in desperate need of a rest and a place to unpack my bag for more than 2.9 days!
The place that we (my boyfriend and I) chose to spend this time was on a little beach called Las Cabanas outside of the town of El Nido, on the island of Palawan, in the Philippines. If you search google images of El Nido, Palawan the pictures that appear do the place justice!
Las Cabanas beach is a short tricycle ride outside of the town of El Nido, about five minutes or so, but just far enough to eliminate any of the town chaos. You get dropped off on the side of the highway beside a grass hut where more tricycle drivers wait in hope to get some bussiness from tourists leaving the beach. The driver points you down a narrow path leading through the overgrown forest and coconut trees, which you can only assume leads you to the beach. At the end of the path you come face to face with complete paradise. Beautiful crystal blue water, soft golden sandy beaches and coconut trees overhanging the beach. There are lots of beautiful spots like this in the world but what makes Las Cabanas beach unique is that there are only two pensions as far as the eye can see, the rest of the area is left completely how nature made it (for now at least). There are many people scattered under the overhanging coconut trees or swimming in the calm rolling water. The rest of the beach is free.
There isn't much to say about our time here. We slowed down our pace and took our time in simple pleasures. Reading, writing, walking, making music and sleeping. We ate fresh fish and mangos everyday; we made some new friends; we took a scuba course; but mostly we simply relaxed.
This was our home for 18 days.
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